Credit: Nancy Lane/File

Veteran tight end Dwayne Allen will start in place of Rob Gronkowski when the Patriots engage the Miami Dolphins on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

The NFL suspended Gronkowski one game for delivering a late forearm to the head of Buffalo Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White last Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y.

“Dwayne does whatever we ask him to do and works very hard at it whatever his role is,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick on Wednesday morning at Gillette Stadium.

The 6-3, 265-pound Allen started 56 games for the Colts before being traded to New England on March 9. Allen struggled in the early going, failing to catch a pass until the Pats' Week 10 game in Denver. He has five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown this season.

In the one game Gronkowski missed with a thigh injury, Allen started in his place but did not catch a pass in the Patriots' 19-14 win at Tampa Bay on Oct. 5. Allen was in on 50 of the Patriots' 74 offensive plays.

“His role in the Tampa game was different than the game before or however it turns out for him,” said Belichick. “He is ready to go and always prepared and always works hard at his job. Like everybody, we all make mistakes and we try to correct them and be better the next time.”

Gronkowski leads all Patriots receivers with 55 catches and seven touchdowns. Rookie free agent Jacob Hollister will back up Allen.